A Luxe but Homey Retreat in Lake Forest

List Price: $3.995 millionThe Property: This very large, lavish house, set on two acres in western Lake Forest, has a nice array of formal spaces—such as the big dining room and the dark-paneled office—complemented by high-end finishes…

By Dennis Rodkin

Published April 15, 2010

List Price: $3.995 millionThe Property: This very large, lavish house, set on two acres in western Lake Forest, has a nice array of formal spaces—such as the big dining room and the dark-paneled office—complemented by high-end finishes, including the silver-leaf ceilings and a Chinese-influenced cabinet concealing the refrigerator. But with its open-plan combo of kitchen, breakfast, and family rooms, its arts-and-crafts room, its inviting three-season room, and its enormous slope-ceilinged room above the garage, it’s also a residence that can serve as a homey retreat. The key to its family-centric layout is the large sitting room at the top of the stairs, into which occupants of all the family bedrooms can come together.

As you will see in the video, the home has some very chic finishes, the work of the designer Kara Mann, who collaborated with the homeowner, Amy DiTomasso, also an interior designer. Amy and her husband, John DiTomasso, bought the house in 2006 when its builder, Timberline, had not yet completed the interior, so they were able to tailor it to suit their lifestyle. From the graphic prints tattooed on the walls and the upholstery to the images of birds, butterflies, and natural objects that link the home to its tranquil setting, the design is sharp. (In addition to my video tour, you can learn more about the house from this article in last month’s Traditional Home magazine.)

The kitchen is a handsome, workable space designed by DeGiulio. The charming master suite includes a large bathroom with a tub positioned to take in the pretty view over the grounds out back. Two children’s bedrooms are adjacent to the master suite, and two more are farther away, opening onto another second-floor gathering space. The 22-room house has six bedrooms and eight fireplaces; a second full kitchen, a wine room, and a theatre in the basement; and a swimming pool in the enormous backyard.

Price Points: Amy DiTomasso says that her family of four is looking to move into the city after they sell this house. Marlene Rubenstein, the DiTomassos’ agent, says that because the home’s furnishings were expressly selected for these spaces and wouldn’t easily transfer to a narrow city house, the property can be had fully furnished. The asking price in that case is $5 million.

Listing Agent: Marlene Rubenstein of Baird & Warner; 847-565-6666 or marlene@marlenerubenstein.com. Rubenstein will have the home open for brokers and qualified buyers on Tuesday, April 20th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.